Explosive energy transfer means



Nov. 14, 1967 G, w. BAKER' ET AL 3,352,236

EXPLOSIVE ENERGY TRANSFER MEANS Filed March 28, 1966 m m w M WRMJ m m IEM um E0. fz. D WMM w mw United States Patent O 3,352,236 EXPLGSIVE ENERGY TRANSFER MEANS George W. Baker and Ryland D. Wiseman, Jr., Dahlgren,

Va., assignors tothe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed Mar. 28, 1966, Ser. No. 538,910 2 Claims. (Cl. 102-24) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE An explosive powder train capable of continuing on from one object after explosive energy has been transmitted to a second object. The first object contains a powder charge disposed below a driver plate in a collar on the second object which has provided thereon, energy probes and igniters connected to the continued explosive powder train. Initiation of the powder charge severs the second object and moves the driver plate into contact with the energy probes for continuance of the explosive through the remaining powder train.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

The present invention relates generally to the transmission of explosive energy and more particularly to the transfer of explosive energy between adjacent objects rotating at different speeds.

The use of explosive powder trains as a means for energy transmission has taken on increased importance of late due to the quest by engineers and scientists for self-contained, high eiciency energy transmission means of extremely high reliability. The explosive powder train lends itself well to these requirements and in many cases has proved much superior to other systems including electrical and hydraulic ones. Explosive powder trains are extremely useful in instances when accurate sequential operation of a series of steps is desired, as is evidenced by their widespread use in such devices as orbiting satellites. However, a major problem in the eld of explosive powder trains has been the passing of explosive energy from a stationary to an adjacent rotating object, or between objects rotating at different speeds or in opposite directions.

By the present invention the difficulties cited above have been overcome and a simple means for providing continuity in explosive powder trains is provided. This is accomplished by providing on the first object, which contains the initially burning powder train, a circular energy ring which contains a powder charge which can explosively drive a circular ring in a direction toward the second object, which may be rotating in the same direction or in an opposite direction. The second object is provided with a plurality of rotating energy probes and igniters which are connected to the second explosive powder train. When the burning powder train reaches the energy ring and fires it, the driver plate is driven up into the energy pickup probes causing the igniters to fire and ignite the second powder train.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means for transmitting explosive energy between two ob jects rotating at different speeds or directions.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a means for transmission of explosive energy between two adjacent objects rotating at different speeds and further including means for explosively severing a portion of one of the objects.

ICC

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered 1n conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l is an elevation view in section of the apparatus of the vpresent invention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view partially in section showing the detail of the driver plate Vand the pickup probe.

As shown in FIG. l, and for illustrative purposes only, a rotating shaft 11 is shown mounted in a stationary support structure 12. By way of example this might be a rotating drive shaft which drives the blades for a helicopter. It is desired to transmit explosive energy from an explosive powder train 13 on the stationary carrier 12 to a similar element 14 on a rotating shaft portion. In order to effect this transmission, the stationary portion is provided with a stationary charge ring 15 which completely rings the rotating shaft 11 and contains an explosive ring 16 which is in communication with the explosive powder train 13. The upper portion of this charge ring 15 includes a driver plate 17 and a groove 18 surrounding the driver plate, as shown in more detail in FIG. 2. Rotating shaft 11 has attached to it a rotating energy pickup ring 20 which includes thereon a plurality of igniters 21, each igniter having an energy pickup probe 22 which is positioned such that it will come in contact with the driver plate upon its movement, which will hereinafter be explained. Igniter 21 is connected to the explosive powder train 14 and will cause it to ignite, thus continuing the explosive train.

In operation, the explosive energy traveling Ion cord 13 reaches the stationary charge ring 15 and therein causes ignition of explosive charge 16. The explosion of this charge 16, and the fact that groove 18 surrounds the driver plate 17, causes the driver plate to sever as at 19 from the stationary charge ring 15 and be driven upward, where it contacts the energy pickup probes 22 mounted on the rotating energy pickup ring 20. The contact of the driver plate with the energy pickup probes causes igniters 21 to fire, thus continuing the explosive train into cord 14.

An additional feature can be gained from the use of the instant structure by the replacing of the simple explosive charge at 16 with a linear shaped charge which, in addition to driving driver plate 17 upward, is so designed as to sever shaft 11 also. Such an arrangement would be advantageous when it is desirable to sever a rotating shaft while still continuing the transmission of explosive energy onto the rotating object. Such design would have use in the situation wherein it is desired to sever a helicopter rotor blade structure from the fuselage of the aircraft, plus sever each of the blades individually from their rotor hub. In such a case the shaft would be severed by a linear shaped charge at 16 andthe movement of plate 17 upward would continue the explosive energy transmission via cord 14 to other charges which would remove the rotor blades from the hubs.

It is thus seen that the present invention provides a new, simple and reliable method for transmitting explosive energy between two adjacent objects rotating at different speeds. It also provides means for severing a rotating shaft while transmitting explosive energy along a separate powder train.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. The use of helicopter structure in the explanation of this invention is intended as an example only and is not to be considered as a limiting factor. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

3 What is claimed is: 1. A means for transferring explosive energy from a rst object to a second object comprising an explosive charge on said first object; means for igniting said explosive; a driver plate mounted on said rst object adjacent to said explosive charge; and a plurality of pickup probes mounted on said second object, said second object being a shaft and said rst object being a collar surrounding said shaft, each pickup probe being in communication with an explosive igniter, whereby the ring of said explosive charge will cause said driver plate to be driven into contact with said pickup probes to fire said igniters. 2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said explosive charge includes a shaped charge encircling said shaft and oriented theretoward; and

Cil

train.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Fletcher 102-49 Bagley 102-70 X Webb 102--27 X Liddiard 102-22 Weber et al 102-49 Allen 102-27 X SAMUEL W. ENGLE, Primary Examiner. 

1. A MEANS FOR TRANSFERRING EXPLOSIVE ENERGY FROM A FIRST OBJECT TO A SECOND OBJECT COMPRISING AN EXPLOSIVE CHARGE ON SAID FIRST OBJECT; MEANS FOR IGNITING SAID EXPLOSIVE; A DRIVER PLATE MOUNTED ON SAID FIRST OBJECT ADJACENT TO SAID EXPLOSIVE CHARGE; AND 